The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1887-08-13
A Trip to Lake Arthur.

our Iflen0S ana myaelf q lew
days since, after. due preparation,
started in a southwest direction to
visit Southwest Louisiana's most
beautiful Lake Arthur. The route
is some forty miles oyer beautiful
prairies covered with rich waving
grass. From my residence six miles
south, lanes and pastures, until we
reach Indian Bayou, we were in
Lafayette pa:ish. We crossed this
Bayou on SUBSTANTIAL bridge, the
stream being thickly wooded on
both sides for about a quarter Of
mile in width and then entered the
open prairie OF VermiIon parish,
passing here and there fne fields OF
corn, cotton, rice and cane, our road
led us near the fine old Methodist
church called kimoall Chapel; the
people were coming from every di.
rection as they were having a pro,
tracted meeting there. We passed
near Indian Bayou P. O., Of which
Mr.. Martin Sarver is P. NJ; then
four miles from there we crossed
Grand Marais On q private bridge
built by Mr., j. J. Abshier. This
place is a deep drain, very boggy,
and about forty feet wide. From
there we could see Coles Island, a
body of timber out in the prairie
four miles distant. On nearing this
beautiful grove we found it to con
tain about one hundred acres of good
timber for firewood, something much
valued there as it is scarce; from
Coles Island we leave all timber,
taking a road in the great Mermen
tau Prairie, leading to our destina-
ton. Far away on our right we
see the woods Of Queue Tortue
bayou, the largest prong Of Mer-
mentau river, entering from the east.
South of US we could behold only a
sea of waving grass as far as the
vision could reach, with here and
there little bunch Of trees far away
ON the sea marsh. This beautiful
prairie is some forty miles long by
twenty-five miles wide; the land,
though not rich, is high aud drains
we'll, and would support a large
population.
We passed through Mr.. Gueydan's
pasture, which is about ten miles
long by eight in width, containing
eighty square miles; # is enclosed
with the GIidden 4 barbed wire, two
strands. and large cypress split
posts l6 feet apart. Mr. Gueydan
owns all this land, and | learn. is
willing to rent to persons seeking
homes on very reasonable terms.
After passing through the west gate,
the timber on Lake Arthur became
visible at distance of ten miles.
and soon after we arrived at the
residence Of Mr.. Ambrose Mouton.
where we were greeted and feasted
on the finest FISH, which we caught
in the lake with his seine In large
numbers.
We stayed with him Two days aud
enjoyed the hospitality OF his kind
family. was much surprised 10
End the society go highly cultivated
in this neighborhood; it seemed
more like a town than beautiful
lake twelve miles from railroad
station. We made the acquaintance
of Drs. Hall and LeoDal DIS and their
kind ladies, also Of Mr.. Woolwebel
and his charming daughter, from
IOWA; they are we'll pleased and
have come to stay, having purchased
large bodies of land. Lake Arthur
has much fine fruit. Mr.. Monitor
has the finest peaches | ever saw il
Louisiana he canned IS gallons O
fruit, and must have 500 fine bear
ing trees. The orange crop is small
bnt the trees look well. | close will
many kind wishes for the Lafayette
ser.-Cor. Lafayette Adver
tiser.
| a party of ll0 men have arrived
at Pittshurg from New York e,
., +o tho cc,la rauiona Shprl